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Packing Tape Transfer: The Easiest Craft Ever!

Learn how to do an image transfer from a magazine using a packing tape transfer. This is SO easy and has so many creative applications!

Skills Required: None. Even if you’ve never crafted before, you’ll enjoy this project. The process is very easy; perfect for kids as young as teenagers.

Packing Tape Transfer: The Easiest Craft Ever!

I always love learning new techniques. Especially when it comes to creative pursuits, I’m kind of addicted to it. I’m going to really pay attention to a new technique if it’s easy, and that’s what these packing tape image transfers are.

Yep, I recently learned how to do packing tape transfers from magazines via a Creativebug class, and I’m so excited to share the results with you. I’ve been writing a lot of letters lately so I turned my transfers into awesome notecards!

But before I begin, let me tell you about how this class came to be.

This year DIY Candy was selected to be a Michaels Maker – a team of 50 creative bloggers working with Michaels stores who have been assembled to “fuel your creativity” through various projects.

And the program started last week with an amazing Michaels Makers Summit in Santa Rosa, California. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to go due to a foot injury . . . but my blogging friends and Michaels are so sweet, they represented me anyway:

Michaels Makers summit

The summit looked like such a good time, and I wish I could have gone! My fellow Michaels Makers got to participate in four amazing classes (weaving, watercolor, paper flowers and image transfer) taught by Michaels education partner, Creativebug.

Since I wasn’t able to attend, I was given the opportunity to try one of the Creativebug classes at home. Yes, please! I decided to tackle image transfers with packing tape. Why? Well, it looked like an easy craft idea. And I had magazines . . . and packing tape . . . so why not?

Open magazine with a roll of packing tape sitting on top

I opened the Creativebug course on my computer and followed along. I simply selected my chosen images from magazines and smoothed the tape down on the surface, making sure not to get any bubbles within.

Smoothing packing tape onto a magazine page with a credit card

Then I burnished the tape to the surface with a credit card.

And if you’re wondering if you could place two pieces of tape together and then smooth that down on the magazine, the answer is yes. You might see a seam, but it will work!

Packing tape with magazine pages attached

I tore all of my chosen images with tape on top out of the magazines.

Magazine pages soaked off of the packing tape

Then I soaked them in warm water for a few minutes and the magazines literally FELL off of the tape, leaving behind images (some magazines work better than others, some need to soak longer than others).

Tape image transfer laid out on a board

Then I set the image transfers aside to dry.

Attaching image transfer to cardstock with craft glue

I simply trimmed my image transfers and used embellishments I purchased at Michaels to trim out some of their Recollections notecards. Instant gratification!

Packing tape image transfer cards

Aren’t packing tape transfers cool? I did just one and now I’m completely addicted! This would be a fun project for tweens and teens too.

Packaging tape image transfers on cards
Packing tape image transfer cards

Now I think you should take the Creativebug class and try it!!

Yield: 5 transfers

Packing Tape Transfer

Tape image transfer laid out on a board

Learn how to do a tape transfer with packing tape! You can do this with any magazine you like.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Active Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $1

Materials

  • Magazine
  • Packing tape

Tools

  • Scissors
  • Large bowl or sauce pan
  • Credit card

Instructions

  1. Open a magazine and choose an image.
  2. Unroll a length of packing tape and place down on the page. Smooth down with a credit card (or similar burnishing tool).
  3. Cut the pages out from the magazine with the scissors.
  4. Soak the taped magazine pieces in the water for several minutes. The magazine will fall right off.
  5. Your tape image transfer is complete - cut down to the size and shape of your choice to use in projects.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a rating or share a photo on Pinterest!


If you enjoyed this packing tape transfer, I’d love for you to check out these other easy craft ideas:

Margaret

Wednesday 21st of June 2023

I have tried this several times with scotch packaging tame several time butthe image does not transfer and it falls off immediately when putting in water. What am I doing wrong?

Amy

Monday 26th of June 2023

I would try a different packing tape! I find sometimes the Scotch doesn't work great even for boxes.

Katie P

Thursday 5th of May 2022

Would the tape transfer work on scrapbook paper or pages out of a book or does it need the glossy finish you get from magazine pages? I don't have many magazines but I'm drowning in scrap paper, lol

Amy

Tuesday 17th of May 2022

I honestly am not sure but I will try it next time I do this. I'd give it a go. I think it would work!

Kim

Wednesday 29th of September 2021

Will the image transfer with packing tape work on glass?

Amy

Wednesday 29th of September 2021

Hi Kim! That's a great question and I don't know the answer - If you used clear, strong glue I would say yes. But you would have to do a test.

Patricia Potts

Monday 15th of March 2021

Hello and thank you for the tutorial. Did you need to glue these to the cards you made or was the tape sticky enough on its own?

Amy

Tuesday 16th of March 2021

The tape was sticky enough on its own! :D

Allison Schnackenberg

Wednesday 30th of May 2018

How is this different than just pasting the image directly from the magazine?

Amy

Wednesday 30th of May 2018

It's pretty transparent - it gives more of a cling effect that a solid page. You can see light through it. Plus it just looks cool! :D

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